For all my dogs.....

So this is where we part, My Friend,  

and you'll run on, around the bend,

gone from sight, but not from mind, 

new pleasures there you'll surely find

I will go on, I'll find the strength, 

life measures quality, not its length.

One long embrace before you leave, 

share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,

but they be they, and they aren't you.

 

And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought, 

will remember well all you've taught

.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,

the fur I stroked, the nose I kissed

. 

And as you journey to your final rest, 

take with you this...I loved you best.

- Jim Willis

The Dream

I have recurring dreams about my dogs. Sometimes they are the stars, sometimes just bit players. Most of the time, the images of dogs in my dream are a little mixed up. They never look exactly like any one of the Goldens in my life, but they always have Golden features. It’s October 22, 2012 and I had another vivid dream this morning. As usual, I’m the star of my dream, drifting around some familiar, but unidentifiable location, losing my pants, trying to tee up a golf ball and hit it, but there is no room to swing or some other bizarre, frustrating circumstance. This morning was not any different, finding myself in a historic college dorm or McMenamins type hotel, talking to Chandler and Ross about god knows what (I don’t even watch Friends anymore), ducking into a room to change my clothes and hoping the occupants didn't return to catch me. During all of the strange interactions and weird activities, I was somehow aware that one of my dogs was with me. After changing my clothes in the room that wasn't mine, I walked down a hall and began searching for my dog (he wasn't in the room with me), asking strangers in the hotel, whose face I saw, but didn’t know, if they have seen Devo! At that moment Devo became “the dog” for this episode.Immediately I began earnestly searching for Devo; peeking in rooms and hallways, crawling in cubby holes and through kitchens, seeing strangers, but no dogs. Then I went outside and called his name once. I saw a dog in the distance, camouflaged by tall grass and reeds trotting back and fourth making progress, moving closer to me. He was a thin Golden with a fox’s tail; obviously not Devo. I then turned and began calling Devo’s name loudly exactly like I've called him thousands of times. I could feel my vocal chords performing this familiar call; it was so real. Then I heard him reply! It was his bark – three times. I knew I found him. Then I woke up.

Devo

I slept in today after a long drive yesterday, returning from a visit with family in Salem OR, sleeping in a strange bed and now welcoming my familiar, comfortable home field slumber advantage. It was one of those dreams I have the last two hours in the morning after I get up to pee, pet Easton and slide back into bed. I've had a few dreams in the last couple of years where I vividly call one of my dogs in my sleep. This is the first time one of them has answered. So perfectly accurate was the vocalization of Devo’s reply, he could have been standing next to me. Then a couple of hours ago, I saw the picture below posted on Facebook. It not only motivated me to document the dream, but it’s exactly how I pictured the Rainbow Bridge to look when I arrive. Sunny would be in charge, Lady would be the matriarch, Cosmo making sure everybody was happy and Devo (who was happiest when he had a job to do) would be the messenger – always busy insuring the link between heaven and earth passed through the bridge. If Devo felt the need, he could send the message: “Here we are, here we are”. I hear you my pal, I hear you.

Bubba, I'll miss you.....

I first (virtually) met the Chub Brothers in June of 2010. They were the newest additions to the "cheaper by the dozen"  paradise called Golden Pines. As I read their story and followed their indoctrination into Life at Golden Pines, I thought that these two would be the perfect companions for my confident, gregarious, adopted Golden named Lady. This of course, was only a fantasy. Lovettsville, VA was 3000 miles away; hardly practical. There was something about these two, I was completely smitten. The brothers were named Bubba and Toby and they were both "hefty" boys that needed less food and more exercise. It was eventually discovered that Bubba had a medical condition that caused him to experience seizures; damn scary ones. The medication was expensive and it was unclear where the funds would come from. We volunteered to "adopt" Bubba by sponsoring his medication expenses. This was the best I could do without actually bringing him into our home (Toby would have to come too of course). I could still be their Uncle KT, living vicariously through the blogging prowess of Kim at GPs. Then there was good news; being a permanent foster guest at Golden Pines, the rescue group stepped up to make sure Bubba was well cared for in the medication department.

For 18 months, via blog postings and email, I kept close tabs on my Chub Brothers (I get to say that, 'cause I named them!). With a heavy heart I must report that Bubba left for the bridge yesterday, fading away peacefully with the family he loved watching over him at Golden Pines: Toby, Sam, Kim, Carl and the rest of the pack. It has taken me a couple of days to write this post, because I just didn't know how to tell the story of being emotionally invested in two sweet, chubby Goldens living 3000 miles away. As you can see, I have succumbed to the power of the paw. Fly free sweet Bubba. Lady will be there to show you around. She's like that you know.

My heartfelt condolences to Kim and Carl at Golden Pines. I continue to be in awe of the generosity, spirit and kindness that you posses, giving so many senior Goldens a place to call home when they were in need. Animo pia.

Bubba, the newest star in the sky

Fly Free Jake

Jake, who came to Golden Pines to spend the winter of his life, left for the Rainbow Bridge yesterday. We blogged about him just a few weeks ago Post dedicated to Jake hoping he could thrive and overcome years of "less than stellar care". Stop by and paw a message to Kim, who was kind enough to give him a caring home for his last 24 days. 

Goodbye Jake

Her post about him really hits home with all of us who rescue. It is very well said.

For Jake

Rudi

Our friends at Golden Pines have lost a long time resident and pack leader.

Read about Rudi's story HERE.

Goodbye Hamlet -

Our good friend Hamlet left for the bridge this morning. I know Lady will be waiting to show him around. There is not much to be said beyond the beautiful story Hamlet's family tells of his time with them.....Goodbye and God Speed to Hamlet

Run free Tanner

Our dear Golden Pines buddy Tanner left for the Rainbow Bridge today. A new star in the sky, loved by his family, missed by all.

Tanner

Our friends at Golden Pine

Comments, Email and response - building the bridge

Here is the situation: I have a blog (KT-Goldens.blogspot.com) where Google account members, Followers and others can leave comments on a post (a common occurrence every day for most of us). When a comment is submitted, I receive an email notification that tells me who left it, what time and what it says. Sometimes I would like to respond privately via email to the commenter (a question was asked or a running gag is required!). When I select "REPLY to", occasionally the commenter's email address is filled in, but most of the time the "reply to" address is which goes nowhere.

If this comment and email response interests you, this is what needs to be set-up as the commenter and as a blog owner. I looked through the Google help section, but it was never addressed properly, so I just did a couple of experiments. I believe the following is the correct procedure.

Google blog owner: Under your settings tab, you must allow comment notification to a selected email address (Settings, Comments, Comment Notification Email). Whenever someone leaves a comment, blogger will send you an email with the details of that comment. If you want to respond to the commenter via that email, this can be done if the commenter allows it using the settings below. Otherwise, the address in the reply will be noreply-comment@blogger.com (goes nowhere).

Google member - Commenter: Allow an email address to be displayed on your profile page. This will be the address that shows as the "reply to" address when a blog owner receives notification that you have left a comment. This setting can be found on your blog's Dashboard-Edit profile-Show my email address - fill in an email address then check the box to allow.

Example: some of my blogger friends/Followers that I can respond to directly via an email notification when they leave a comment on a post at KT-Goldens....
- Kim at Golden Pines
- The lovely Khyra with the floofy tail
- Sammantha
- The Bumpass Hounds

I've had this set-up for 2 years and have found it valuable for personally responding to Followers and Commenter’s (whose settings allow it). No problems with spam as of yet!

So, if you don't have this set-up, and you ask a question about a post within your comment, unless your notification is on, that question may not get addressed in a timely manner (or at all !!).

I welcome any questions or corrections that may be needed on this subject. Just leave a comment to this post and I will respond ON THE COMMENTS PAGE so all can see.

And now a word from our sponsor.

The beautiful and WET - - - Miss Lady